illiberal

adj.narrow-minded

Synonyms for illiberal

MOST RELEVANT

conservative

adjective. cautious, moderate, tending to preserve the status quo

Word Origin & History

1530s, "ungentlemanly, base, mean," from Middle French illiberal (14c.), from Latin illiberalis "ungenerous, mean, sordid; unworthy of a freeman," from assimilated form of in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + liberalis (see liberal). A sense of "narrow-minded politically; unconcerned with the rights or liberties of others" is attested from 1640s, and might conceivably be revived to take up some of the burden that drags down conservative.

Example Sentences forilliberal

First, Harsh and illiberal conduct on the part of the Banks.

When I asked what made them illiberal, he answered, "It is because they are liberal."

He is the expounder of Revolution in its compulsory and illiberal aspect.

Too illiberal, you think; and what would Mr. J. S. Mill say?

For friendship is noble and refined, whereas pleasure is vulgar and illiberal.

Would to God he had lived to defeat their selfish and illiberal schemes!

I am illiberal, if you like, but in the presence of those fellows I feel that I am facing enemies.

Anything less than that would be illiberal, mean, contemptible.

People may call this illiberal, if they please; the answer is obvious.

Now I am anything but illiberal—if anything, I err on the opposite side.

illiberal

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closer

closest

conservative

conventional

illiberal

More words related to illiberal

bourgeois

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closer

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conservative

conventional